Leicester City climbed up to 18th in the table as Jamie Vardy bid farewell to the King Power Stadium with a 2-0 Premier League win over Ipswich Town on Sunday afternoon.
Despite controlling possession in the first half and hitting the post early on through Leif Davis, it was the Tractor Boys that conceded first when legendary Foxes striker Vardy netted his 200th goal on his 500th appearance for the club.
The visitors ended the first period without a single shot on target to show for their efforts, and as their wastefulness continued in the second, it was the hosts that maintained the bigger threat when the likes of Kasey McAteer struck the woodwork.
With a little over 20 minutes on the clock, Kieran McKenna‘s men were punished by McAteer, who scored his first Premier League goal of the season to double his team’s advantage.
Regardless, Leicester triumphed over their fellow-relegated opposition to send off Vardy in style, and the club icon’s sendoff went according to the plan.
SPORTS MOLE’S VERDICT
© Imago
Leicester will be delighted that Vardy was able to reach his landmark 200th goal for the club, and the moment will live long in the memory of the home fans at the King Power.
Secondary to that is the fact that the Foxes recorded back-to-back Premier League home wins for the first time since May 2022, though Ruud van Nistelrooy would have preferred to pick up this type of form prior to their relegation.
As for Ipswich, they will be ruing their missed chances throughout Sunday’s game, especially considering that they had more than twice as may shots as their opponents but only managed two efforts on target.
LEICESTER CITY VS. IPSWICH TOWN HIGHLIGHTS
7th min: Leif Davis (Ipswich Town) hit the post
28th min: Leicester City 1-0 Ipswich Town (Jamie Vardy)
© Imago
Foxes right-back James Justin picks up the ball in midfield and drives towards the backtracking Ipswich defence before sliding a reverse pass through to Jamie Vardy, who produces a clever finish across the goalkeeper from right to left eight-yards out.
Vardy reaches 200 for the Foxes!
69th min: Leicester City 2-0 Ipswich Town (Kasey McAteer)
© Imago
Leicester work the ball through the lines with some quick passing, and after Bilal El Khannouss picks out Wilfried Ndidi just outside the box, the defensive midfielder plays in Kasey McAteer on the right-hand side if the Ipswich area, where the forward rifles a first-time finish past Alex Palmer.
MAN OF THE MATCH – JAMIE VARDY
© Imago
Club and Premier League legend Vardy opened the scoring with a fine first-half finish, marking his 500th and final appearance with his 200th goal.
Bilal El Kannouss and Wilfried Ndidi were also strong performers on the day, but the striker set the tone for a memorable win at the King Power.
LEICESTER CITY VS. IPSWICH TOWN MATCH STATS
Possession: Leicester City 51%-49% Ipswich Town
Shots: Leicester City 9-20 Ipswich Town
Shots on target: Leicester City 3-2 Ipswich Town
Corners: Leicester City 2-2 Ipswich Town
Fouls: Leicester City 15-12 Ipswich Town
BEST STATS
13 years to the day since he signed for the club, Jamie Vardy has scored his 200th Leicester goal in his 500th and final match for the Foxes.
He’s also equalled the record for the most goals + assists in a Premier League season by players aged 37 or over:
◎ 13 – Teddy… pic.twitter.com/xlB1G5JGV8
— Squawka (@Squawka) May 18, 2025
WHAT NEXT?
Up next for Leicester is a trip to face Bournemouth on the Premier League’s final matchday, while Ipswich will host West Ham United on the same day.
No Data Analysis info
